I Have Started...Well, Restarted Something New,The Mermaid’s Letters pt. 1
When I was a girl the only mythical creature I pretended to be was a mermaid. I loved swimming and I spent many a summer frolicking on the beach and in the water where I grew up. Fast forward to today and here I am, still wanting to be a mermaid, in some way.
It has undoubtedly been the coldest winter evening so far, resulting in my desire to hunker down even more during these chilly days. I find myself particularly grateful for the comforting rhythms of this season. The soft glow of candlelight, the crackling warmth of a fire, and the cozy embrace of my fluffy socks have become a welcome respite at the end of each day after I return home from a full day spent joyfully interacting with my energetic third graders.
This January I decided to only work on unfinished projects. Some of you call these WIPs (works in progress). This isn’t a resolution, it is just time to use what I have curated and collected over the years and create something extraordinary. I have to admit it is excellent stuff. I have a few of these neglected beginnings, but the one project I am finally indulging in is another Mixed Media Book! You can look at my flip-through video of my Libre D’Oiseaux ( book of birds)Here. Scroll down, on that post, it is at the end.
Libre D’Oiseaux, Art Book By Heather Wombacher 2015 Photo by Heather Wombacher
I am calling this mixed media art book, The Mermaid’s Letters.
This is where I started the unfinished cover. Photo by Heather Wombacher, The Apprentice Art Studio, 2025
During COVID I created a similar book called The Queen’s Letters- all about that in a future post. I have to say that this project has gotten my creativity flowing in a way it hasn’t for a while. What I mean is I am excited and thinking about it all the time! It has challenged me too! I have had to make lots of decisions; how to construct this book, will it be entirely sewn and slow stitched or paper and glue, or a combination? I am starting with what I had originally done, the problem is that I get waylayed with all kinds of ideas, and then I find myself hours later with a messy studio and nothing fully completed. But I don’t mind, that has been part of the enjoyment!
I have been thoroughly enjoying the process. I have sat and gone through my collections and curated all kinds of wonderful flotsam and jetsam for this project. The good news is this project won’t cost me anything because believe it or not I have all I need.
This is the design kit from Barbara WIllis Designs.
I originally purchased a kit from doll artist Barbara Willis Designs out of California. I am unsure if Barbara is still around but I am so glad for her kit, it has been my launching point. Her original Mermaid Journal is the inspiration for The Mermaid’s Letters. Thank you, Barbara!
Would you like to come swimming along with me as I make this wonderful art journal/art book/storybook? This project is twofold, the book itself and then the letters. This will be an epistle story. I will post my progress here on the blog and when this project is complete, I will video a flip-through so you can see the final piece. Let’s dive in! (pun intended)